Recruiting Areas: Section VI "Western New York"
| Hired at Buffalo State: |
Spring 2022 |
| Prior to Buffalo State: |
Defensive Coordinator - SUNY Cortland (2020-21) |
|
Defensive Coordinator - Alfred University (2016-19) |
|
Assistant Coach - Alfred University (2014-15) |
|
Assistant Coach - Utica College (2009-13) |
| Alma Mater: |
Utica College ’08 (Bachelor’s) |
|
Utica College ’14 (Master’s) |
Buffalo State College appointed Lazarus Morgan as the sixth head coach in the history of the Bengal football program starting in February, 2022. Morgan recently completed his third season at the helm, leading the Bengals to six Liberty League All-Conference selections in 2024 and their first conference win since 2019.
Morgan is the first African American to hold the title of head football coach at Buffalo State, as well as the first African American head coach in the history of the Liberty League. He arrives to Buffalo after serving as the defensive coordinator at SUNY Cortland during the 2021 season, where he oversaw the fifth-ranked overall defense in NCAA Division III, helping guide the Red Dragons to an 11-1 record, an Empire 8 title and a trip to the NCAA playoffs.
Prior to Cortland, Morgan served six seasons as an assistant coach at Alfred University, including four years (2016-19) as the Saxons' defensive coordinator. He was Alfred's defensive backs coach and junior varsity head coach for two seasons from 2014-15.
In his four years as defensive coordinator, Alfred posted a combined 32-13 record and registered 113 sacks and 91 forced turnovers. The program featured four All-Americans, two regional Players of the Year, three Empire 8 Players of the Year, seven all-region players and 19 all-league honorees.
In 2016, Morgan was part of the Saxons' Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year as the team won the Empire 8 title and posted a 10-0 regular-season record. Alfred advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals, finished the year 12-1 and was the Lambert Cup winner. During his six seasons at Alfred, the Saxons were 3-0 in ECAC bowl games in addition to their two 2016 NCAA wins.
Prior to Alfred, Morgan coached for five seasons at his alma mater, Utica College. He served as an assistant in charge of special teams and was wide receivers coach for the 2009 season. He was an assistant coach in charge of safeties from 2010-13, during which time he was also junior varsity defensive coordinator for two years (2010-11) and junior varsity head coach for two seasons (2012-13).
A native of the Bronx and an alumnus of Christopher Columbus High School, Morgan was a defensive back at Utica from 2006-08 and was an All-Empire 8 honoree. Morgan earned a bachelor's degree in communication arts from Utica in 2008 and a master's degree in educational leadership and administration in 2014.
| Liberty League All-Conference Selections: |
21 |
| Liberty League All-Academic Selections: |
26 |
| Buffalo State |
Overall Record |
Liberty League Record |
Year-End Finish |
| 2024 |
3-7 |
1-5 (7th) |
-- |
| 2023 |
2-8 |
0-6 (7th) |
-- |
| 2022 |
0-10 |
0-6 (7th) |
-- |
| Overall at Buffalo State (3 seasons) |
5-25 (.166) |
1-17 (.056) |
-- |
(UPDATED 12/16/24)
